Double-Valve Pressure Wave Control for Projectile Impact Velocity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for generating mechanical pressure waves using pneumatic systems for medical treatment face challenges in controlling the back and forth movement of projectiles, leading to inconsistent impact velocities and potential patient discomfort due to high pressures and frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A device with a double valve system that allows for overlapping valve activation times, enabling precise control of projectile impact velocity by adjusting the overlap time between the valves, thereby reducing age-related deviations and allowing for variable impact speeds without constant high pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single switching valve is used for pneumatic acceleration, then the device structure is simple, but the control precision of projectile impact velocity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single switching valve is divided into two separate switching valves (first switching valve for acceleration, second switching valve for return movement). This segmentation allows independent control of acceleration and return phases, enabling precise adjustment of the first valve opening time to achieve accurate impact velocity control while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular valve design.
2Speed
If high pneumatic pressure is applied continuously, then the projectile achieves high impact speed, but patient discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic pressure is applied periodically rather than continuously - the first switching valve opens only during the acceleration phase before impact, then closes. The second switching valve opens after impact to initiate return movement. This periodic application of pressure achieves necessary impact speed while reducing overall exposure time to high pressure, thereby decreasing patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The first valve opening time is adjusted to provide preliminary acceleration of the projectile to the desired velocity before impact occurs. By controlling the duration of pneumatic pressure application in advance, the system achieves the required impact speed without maintaining high pressure throughout the entire cycle, thus reducing harmful effects on the patient.
3Measurement precision
If the second valve opens before the first valve closes, then overlap time is created for velocity control, but the valve system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system monitors the operational states of both switching valves and adjusts their timing accordingly. By providing feedback on valve positions and timing, the system optimizes the overlap period between first valve closing and second valve opening to achieve precise impact velocity control while managing the coordination complexity through intelligent control logic.
4Measurement precision
If a second switching valve is added for return movement control, then the projectile return precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Both switching valves are designed with multi-functionality - the first switching valve not only controls acceleration but also its closing action initiates the return sequence, while the second switching valve controls both the start of return movement and can influence the timing of subsequent acceleration cycles. This universal design reduces the need for additional specialized components, offsetting the complexity increase from adding a second valve.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides precise control over projectile impact velocity, reduces patient discomfort, and allows for flexible operation frequencies without requiring high impact speeds, enhancing therapeutic efficacy and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A proven and widely described technique for accelerating the projectile is pneumatic. This technique involves applying pneumatic overpressure to a volume on one side of the projectile as it moves along a path
Implementation Method 2
the return movement is carried out with the help of a counter-pressure chamber, i.e. a storage volume into which the projectile moving towards the applicator displaces the air in front of it, thus essentially inflating this storage volume
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for treating the human or animal body with mechanical pressure waves, the device comprising: a projectile 8 guided in the device along a movement path, an applicator 7 at one end of the movement path, a pneumatic device for applying pneumatic pressure to the projectile 8 for movement along the movement path, wherein the projectile 8 is designed to strike the applicator 6 to generate the mechanical pressure waves, the pneumatic device comprising a double valve assembly 1, 2 for applying pneumatic pressure to the projectile 8 in the direction of the applicator 6 during a first activation period and for applying pneumatic pressure to the projectile in the reverse direction during a second activation period, and a control device 54 for controlling the double valve assembly 1, 2, wherein the device is designed toto overlap the first and second on-times within one overlap time.